Lucas Paqueta, Graham Potter
(Credit: Imago)
Dakir Thanveer
Fri 7 March 2025 19:01, UK
West Ham United are fearing the worst for Lucas Paqueta ahead of his FA hearing this month.
Paqueta has been a regular for West Ham this season, making 26 appearances across all competitions, but it is no secret that he is entangled in a spot-fixing controversy.
The Brazil international is accused of deliberately getting himself booked in four different games between November 2022 and August 2023 to influence markets, prompting the FA to open an investigation one and a half years ago.
A hearing that could last three weeks is set to start later this month and Paqueta is facing the prospect of being handed a lifetime ban in the worst-case scenario.
Lucas Paqueta West Ham
Paqueta is in big trouble. (Credit: Imago)
West Ham insiders hit out at FA rule
Things are not looking too promising for Paqueta as West Ham fear he will lose his battle against the FA, according to Kieran Gill.
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The journalist reported via the Mail website on Friday (7 March) that Irons sources believe the odds are stacked against the 27-year-old ahead of the hearing.
This is because the FA’s Regulatory Commissions use ‘balance of probabilities’ to prove a case as opposed to the ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ method used in criminal proceedings.
This means that the FA only have to prove that Paqueta is more likely than not to have breached betting rules by getting himself booked purposefully.
Hammers insiders deem it ‘savage’ and ‘very wrong’ to end a player’s career just based on probabilities.
West Ham have continued to support the former Lyon attacker amidst all this season and the player is also determined to clear his name.
However, both parties could be left helpless if the FA rules against him when the verdict eventually comes out.
Exc: West Ham fear Lucas Paqueta is set up to lose his fight with FA due to “savage” way in which a verdict will be reached at his hearing, per senior sources. Worst case scenario of a lifetime ban is hanging over the 27yo Brazilian https://t.co/OoL99ei7uv
— Kieran Gill (@kierangill_DM) March 7, 2025
Paqueta could be forced out of London Stadium
Paqueta is able to continue playing for West Ham while the hearing is ongoing, although it remains to be seen if he will be fit to play when they host Newcastle at the London Stadium on Monday, 10 March.
The Brazilian notably missed the East London outfit’s last two Premier League games due to an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, he faces the possibility of being forced out of West Ham if the FA’s verdict goes against him.
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